Core4ce, LLC 401(k) Review & Grade
Core4ce 401(k) Plan
North Charleston, SCProfessional, Scientific & Technical Services596 active participantsPlan year 2024✓ Auto-enroll
Estimate from the plan's Form 5500 filing · How we grade
$5,049Employer $ per active participant
$7,551Employee $ saved per active participant
0.44%Direct admin cost, % of plan assets
$39.8MNet plan assets, end of year
$70,889Average balance per account
Score breakdown
- Employer generosity36.9 / 5074th percentile for employer $ per participant
- Low cost6.8 / 2527th percentile for low admin cost vs. same-size plans
- Employee saving5.8 / 1539th percentile for employee $ per participant
- Plan features10 / 10Auto-enrollment, Default investment
- Red-flag deductions-10 pts1 issue reported on the filing
Total score49 / 100 · Grade C
This plan vs. peers
Peers: Professional, Scientific & Technical Services plans with 500–2,499 active participants (1,469 plans).
| Measure | Percentile |
|---|---|
| Employer $ per participant | 74th |
| Lower admin cost | 27th |
| Employee saving | 39th |
| Peers that auto-enroll | 48% |
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Red flags from the filing
Late deposits: the filing says some employee contributions were not sent to the plan on time ($18,573 reported). That's money taken from paychecks that sat with the employer longer than the law allows.
What to do if you're in this plan
- Core4ce put in about $5,049 per active participant, more than the typical peer ($3,082). Contribute at least enough to collect the full match. Skipping it leaves part of your pay on the table.
- The filing shows total dollars, not the match formula. Ask HR for the Summary Plan Description so you know the exact match and vesting schedule.
- Direct plan expenses (0.44% of assets) are well above similar-size plans (0.23%). Check your annual fee disclosure, choose low-cost index funds if you can, and think about whether savings beyond the match belong in an IRA.
- The plan auto-enrolls employees. Check your default contribution rate. Defaults are often lower than what it takes to get the full match.
- The plan reported late deposits of employee contributions. Compare your pay stubs with your account statements, and contact the plan administrator if money shows up late.
- Changing jobs? You can usually leave the money in the plan, move it to your new employer's plan, or roll it into an IRA. Don't cash out: you'd owe taxes and possibly a 10% penalty.
The raw numbers from the filing
| Employer contributions | $3,006,969 |
| Participant (employee) contributions | $4,496,731 |
| Other contributions (incl. rollovers in) | $1,803,245 |
| Administrative expenses paid from the plan | $155,713 |
| Contract administrator fees | $126,367 |
| Investment advisory & management fees | $29,346 |
| Benefits paid out | $5,740,190 |
| Net assets, start / end of year | $30.4M / $39.8M |
| Active participants, start / end of year | 585 / 606 |
| Participants with account balances | 562 |
| Auto-enrollment (feature code 2S) | Yes |
| Auditor | Forvis Mazars LLP |
Largest service providers (Schedule C)
| Principal Life Insurance Company | $126,367 reported compensation |
| Usi Advisors, Inc. | $29,346 reported compensation |
| Morningstar Investment Management L | $0 reported compensation |
Source: DOL EFAST2 Form 5500 filing, acknowledgment ID 20250926123027NAL0009403857001, received 2025-09-26, EIN 45-3079311, plan #001, plan year 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31. Verify at efast.dol.gov.